Washing machine



J. I UNOE WASHING MACHINE Jam. 26, 1937.

Filed Sept. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l TTO/eA/EYJ `Fa. 26, i937. 1 UNQE 2,068,753

WASHING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7a Z7 7/ 42 35 .l /G.5

u 26 "fl/ 56 f/ZB s] s f 80 i `,i 80 801 WFM #0V 0'00`0` 1 g 000@ gf 79 75 l l OO 8f QQOQQQQI l e @-5 `O I: y (viv UUIV| w i g 000000 4 ga: 000000@ 4 E 445 @yu 0000000I 45 s l ON f 000000 I IZS E 4g, OM g :000000: g O I i "0100000l s OI, `O`O'OOO1 l @00H0 S Lif) Patented Jan. 26, 1937 site iATENT OFFICE 22 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machines and has, among its objects, to produce a machine of the oscillating type, as distinguished from the plunger type, and in which the clothes are submitted to the moving and/or compressing action of an oscillatory element or elements. Another object is to decidedly improve the eiectiveness of such machines for quickly and thoroughly cleansing and aerating the clothes.

Another object of the invention is tol simplify the structure, and at the same time provide a machine Which is capable of properly handling either small or large sized Washes with equal facility and thoroughness. Another object is to provide a method and/or structure by which maximum suction and pressure effects are obtainable, and by which air is introduced into the water and clothes as a result of movement of the oscillating elements.

Another object is to provide a machine in which perforate paddle-like elements act alternately at opposite sides of a perforate partition to move the clothes toward and away from the partition, and in which each element rises above the water level to trap air and bring the trapped air into the water and in contact with the ciothes.

Another object is to provide a machine in which portions of a paddle-like element act as partitions defining a plurality of clothes-receiving chambers at each opposite side of a partition, and to provide means for oscillating the paddle element alternately in opposite directions.

Features of the invention include all details of construction, along with the broader ideas of means inherent in the disclosure.

Objects, features and advantage of the invention will be set forth in the description of the drawings forming a part of this application, and in said drawings Figure i is a vertical transverse section of one form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken approximately on line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 shows a vertical section of a modification of my invention taken approximately on line 3 3 of Figure 4;

Figure e is a top plan section taken approximately on line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail vertical section of the oscillator, taken on line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a modication taken on a line corresponding to that of Figure 3;

(c1. fis-19) Figure '7 is a top plan section taken on line 5 1 of Figure 3; and

Figure 8 is a modication showing a rubber wiping and sealing element on the oscillator, cooperating with the corrugations of the receptacle.

Referring to Figure 1: Numeral I indicates a cylindrical water and clothes receptacle having its axis horizontally arranged, and which is Supported by legs 2. The inner surface of the receptacle is provided in its lower portion with longitudinal corrugations 3, which only extend to points slightly above a horizontal line which passes through the axis of the receptacle, the inner wall above this line being smooth surfaced. The receptacle is also provided with a diametrically related vertical partition 4 suitably perforated as at 5. Each opposite face of this partition is provided with longitudinally extending corrugations which corrugations are opposed to the corrugations 3. In some cases the corrugations will be omitted, either from the receptacle, or from the partition, or from both.

The partition in this instance extends vertically a distance equal to about one-half of the vertical diameter of the receptacle, and over this partition and immediately adjacent thereto is arranged a shaft I0, in this instance positionally corresponding to the long axis of the cylinder and journaled as shown in Figure 2 in bearings respectively indicated at II I2. The bearings are provided with packing glands I3, and with suitable oiling holes. On this horizontally arranged shaft is iixed, as by set screws, a rocker or oscillator. This rocker may be considered as composed of two integral paddle elements respectively indicated at Ill-I5. The use of the term paddle is not intended to limit the invention.

The inner, or in this case under, surface of each oscillator or paddle element is provided with corrugations indicated at I6, some of which are deeper than others. These corrugations extend longitudinally or in a direction parallel with the corrugations of the receptacle I and of the partition 4. Each paddle has a large corrugation I 5a arranged as shown between an outer and an inner series of smaller corrugations. The inner portion of each paddle is provided with perforations I1. are concave and are opposed to the clothes and to the partition. As the paddles move alternately toward and away from opposite sides of the partition, the clothes are correspondingly moved, in one direction against the partition, and in the indicated respectively at 6 'I,.

The surfaces having the corrugations i `and the corrugation i521.

other direction away from the partition. The limit of movement is approximately that sho-wn in dot-and-dash lines in the figure. Suitable means is provided for oscillating the shaft alternately in opposite directions. Such a means is shown in Figure '7, which means is described in connection with that form of the invention shown in Figure 3.

It will be evident that the perforate partition l denes two goods chambers, and that the perforate pivoted suction-creating elements or oscillaters operate to pressure-move the clothes in one chamber toward the partition while suctionmoving the clothes in the other chamber away from the partition. In addition, the clothes are submitted to the action of the corrugations on the paddles, receptacle and partition. The perforations in the partition and in the suction and pressure elements or paddles act to reduce resistance by the water to the movement of the paddles, and to increase surging of the water.

The corrugation lea lies between the perforate and imperforate portions of the paddle, and projects to deiine an air-trapping cup or pocket E61) in the lower surface of the outer portio-n of the paddle. The pocket extends the full length of the paddle. By this means, air is brought into the water on each down stroke of a paddle, be-

ing trapped between the outer part of the paddle On the reverse stroke,

the pocket leb acts as a suction cup. rIhe application of less force to the shaft lil is necessary, by use of the openings il in the paddles. A suitable cover i@ hinged at 2i! closes the top of the receptacle.

In this device, there is no twisting of the clothes, only sousing, suction and pressure. The partition allows surging of the water therethrough, and a single element having concave faces moves the goods for this purpose. Each paddle is substantially of the same cross-sectional area as that portion of the receptacle in which it operates, so that all of the goods on that side isfmoved. Each paddle rises above the water level, traps air, and carries it into the water. On an up-stroke, a vacuum is created, the clothes are pulled and spread, and water is drawn through the openings in the partition. |Ihe clothes are thus alternately sucked and squeezed, and the degree of movement of each paddle is sufficient to put the clothes under compression against the partition l.

In Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, is shown a modication in which the water receptacle is divided into two chambers by a partition, and wherein the oscillator has paddle-like clothes-pressing and suction-creating elements, one operative in each corresponding chamber, and dividing it into two goods compartments.

Numeral 25 indicates the main receptacle which in this case is cylindrical and has its long axis vertically arranged. The entire inner surface of the receptacle is provided with vertically arranged corrugations 26 which are substantially parallel with the axis of the cylinder. Partitioning means is arranged vertically and diametrically within the receptacle and this partition means extends from the bottom of the receptacle upwardly but not quite to the top thereof. The partition means is formed by two sections, respectively indicated at 2l and 28, and the opposite sides of each partitioning means is provided with vertical corrugations indicated at 29. The elements of the partition are perforated at 30.

The receptacle 25 is provided with a suitable cover 33.

Rising from the bottom 35 and at a position corresponding substantially to the axis of the cylinder is a hollow tubular member Sii extending to a height substantially equal to the height of the partitioning means. Suspended from the top of this tubular element 35, by suitable ball bearings 38, is. an oscillator, generally indicated at lill, and comprising a tubular center section il surrounding the tubular element 3e, but slightly spaced therefrom and extending to a point adjacent the inner bottom surface of the receptacle 25. This section @l has an upwardly directed extension @2, providing a lifting handle. Integral with this tubular element l are portions QSL-lli constituting two paddles, diametrically arranged and aligned. Each paddle is provided on opposite sides with vertical corrugations indicated at @E and each is perforated as indicated at 125.

'Ihe outer portion of each paddle is thickened or flared as generally indicated at i8 and in this instance this thickened portion is hollcwed out as at 49. This outer flared portion is imperforate. The outer surfaces 5t of these enlarged portions are curved, their center of curvature being in the axis of rotation which corresponds to the axis of the cylindrical receptacle. These surfaces are connected with the corrugated surfaces by rounded corner surfaces indicated at 5l, to prevent injury to the clothes. The flaring of the end portions of the paddles tends to keep the clothes from entering between the outer peripheries of the paddle and the corrugations. The peripheral portion of the paddle is in close proximity to the corrugations to assist in keeping the clothes from passing between the surfaces 5l) and the corrugations 2E. In some instances, the corrugations may be omitted.

The limit of oscillation is approximately that shown in Figure 4, and this oscillation is obtained by a suitable motor indicated at El@ having its shaft provided with worm gear 5i meshing with worm gear 62 which acts as a crank disk. The crank pin E3 of this disk is pivotaily connected by means of a link E@ with the pivot pin 65 of a segmental gear t5 journaled at 61. The segmental gear meshes with a suitable gear 68, xed to vertical shaft GQ journaled in the tubular element 36 and having upper squared end lil cooperating with a correspondingly squared socket Il in the lifting extension lli. The gearing is enclosed in a suitable casing 73 suitably fixed to and supported by frame element 'll-l, which frame is in turn held by the legs 'l5 which support the casing 25. A suitable clutch is generally indicated at l5 for stopping oscillation when desired. Any

suitable means for operating the clutch may be used.

Referring to Figure 5: The upper portion of each paddle element is thickened as at i9, and upwardly and outwardly flared surfaces 79a are provided which merge into the bottom surfaces of laterally horizontally projecting over-hanging portions 8d, having their edges beaded as at 80a. The under surfaces of the projections 8B are transversely and longitudinally convex. The widened portion 'i9 is made hollow as at 3l. The portions Sil act to prevent creeping of the clothes over the top of the paddle. The curving and the over-hang in conjunction with flaring, function to trap and force a certain amount of air downwardly into the water. The clothes rise above the water line and also themselves receive and trap air.

In Figure 6 is shown a slight modification of the extension 36 in which, instead of being formed as an integral part of the bottom, it is formed separately and connected to the bottom by suitable threads indicated at 82.

In Figure 8, a modification of the paddle has been shown in which the enlarged end 85 is provided with a V-shaped groove 86 acting to secure a rubber or other flexible element 81 in projecting relation and in sealing relation with the corrugations 26 of the inner side of the water receptacle 25. 'I'his modification can be applied to a paddle' of any form and there is no intention to limit its application to the form shown in Figures 3 and 4. It can be applied to the outer peripheries of the paddle elements Ill and i5 of Figures l and 2.

This last described form of the invention, therefore, provides partitioning means defining two chambers each of which is sub-divided into two clothes chambers by portions of an oscillatory suction-creating and clothes-pressing element. Each portion of the element is operative to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partitioning means, and the axis of oscillation is disposed centrally of the partitioning means. This is a valuable structure, in that it provides four wash-receiving chambers, any one or more of which can be used, thus providing a machine capable of handling either small or large size washes, easily and thoroughly.

I claim as my invention:

1. A washing machine comprising a Water receptacle having a vertical partitioning element defining two goods chambers, a single vertical os- Cillatable suction-creating element having two portions one operable in each chamber to alternately forcibly move the goods in one chamber toward the partition while suction-moving the goods in another chamber away from the partition, each portion alternately acting during oscillating motion to compress the goods against the partitioning element, said vertical oscillatable element having means along its upper edge adapted to trap air and move it into water in said chambers, and one of said elements being perforated.

2. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having an upright diametrically arranged partitioning means dening two goods chambers, a vertical oscillatable suction-creating element having portions one in each chamber operable to forcibly move the goods in one chamber toward the partition while suction-moving the goods in the other chamber away from the partitioning means and vice versa, the axis of oscillation of said suction-creating element being disposed at the partitioning means, and said portions being diametrically related to said axis.

3. A washing machine comprising a cylindrical water receptacle with its long axis horizontally disposed, the inner surface of said receptacle having longitudinally disposed corrugations, diametrically arranged perforate partition means in said receptacle dening two goods chambers, and a perforate oscillatory suction-creating element having portions diametrically related and operative in respective chambers to alternately move the goods toward and away from said partition means and rub them against said corrugations.

4. A washing machine having a receptacle having therein partition means defining two chambers, an oscillatory suction-creating element having two portions one operative in each chamberv and dividing it into two goods chambers, each portion of said element being operative to alternately move the goods at opposite sides of it toward and away from the partition means, the axis of oscillation being vertical and being disposed centrally of and between adjoining portions of said partitioning means, and means enabling liquid to pass from one chamber to the other.

5. A washing machine comprising a cylindrical water receptacle having substantially one-half of its lower inner surface provided with longitudinally disposed corrugations, a diametrically disposed perforate partition means in the receptacle dividing it into two goods chambers, an oscillatable perforate suction-creating element having portions diametrically disposed and operative in respective chambers to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partition means, said partition means and said oscillatory element having corrugations running in a direction also longitudinally of the cylinder, adapted tobe operatively opposed as said element cscillates, peripheral portions of said oscillatable suction element moving in close relationship with the corrugations of the water receptacle.

6. A washing machine comprising a cylindrical water receptacle with its axis horizontally arranged, a vertical diametrically arranged perforate partition dening two goods chambers in the lower half of the receptacle, an oscillatory element arranged over the partition and above the water level, and rockable by a shaft which is parallel with the long axis of the cylinder and having portions diametrically arranged operative at opposite sides of the partition to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partition.

7. A washing machine comprising a cylindrical water receptacle with its axis horizontally arranged, a vertical diametrically arranged perforate partition defining two goods chambers in the lower half of the receptacle, an oscillatory element arranged over the partition, and rockable by a shaft which is parallel with the long axis of the cylinder and having portions diametrically arranged and operative at opposite sides of the partition to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partition means, each portion of said oscillatory element havin a perforate and an imperforate area, the latter disposed most remotely from the axis of oscillation.

8. A washing machine comprising a cylindrical water receptacle with its axis horizontally arranged, a vertical diametrically arranged perforate partition dening two goods chambers in the lower half of the receptacle, an oscillatory element arranged over the partition, and rockable on a shaft lying in the long axis of the cylinder and having portions diametrically arranged and operative at opposite sides of the partition to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partition means, said partition, water receptacle and oscillatory element having oorrugations which are substantially parallel to one another.

9. A washing machine comprising a receptacle having its axis vertically arranged, a vertical partitioning means dividing the receptacle in two compartments, a suction and clothes pressing element having two portions one operable in each compartment, each acting to sub-divide its compartment into two clothes chambers, and a vertical shaft operably connected to said element for oscillating it, and means enabling the liquid to pass from one chamber to the other.

1). A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having therein vertical perforate partitioning means deiining two goods chambers, a single perforate oscillatable suction-creating element sub-dividing each chamber into two clothes chambers and operable to move the goods toward and away from the partitioning means and during movement to compress the goods against the partitioning means, a vertical shaft passing through the bottom of the water receptacle, the bottom of said receptacle having a tubular extension forming a journal for said shait, said oscillatable element having a sleeve which surrounds said tubular extension and further having means by which it is connected for movement with the shaft, and motive means for oscillating said shaft alternately in opposite directions for the purpose set forth.

li. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having a vertical partitioning means therein and a pivoted suction and clothes pressing element, each side of said element operable to pressure-move goods toward and against the partition when moved against the latter and suction-move goods away from the partition, when moved away from the latter, and means by which water pressure incident to the action of said pivoted element is relieved.

12. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having perforate partitioning means defining two goods chambers and a perforate pivoted suction creating element having two portions having a diametric and substantially coplanar relation, one in each chamber acting topressure-move the goods in one chamber toward the partition while the other acts to suctionmove the goods in the other chamber away from the partition, each of the said portions of said oscillatory element having means which lies in part above the water level and acts to trap air and move the air into the water.

13. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having vertical partitioning means therein dening goods chambers said means having perforations therein, a pivoted element having perforations therein and providing diametrically related perforated portions one operable in each chamber to compress the goods against the partitioning means and then suction move the goods away from the partitioning means each of said portions having a downwardly facing concave surface of substantial area which surfaces are disposed above the water level in the course of the washing operation, and which act to retard upward motion of air and to bring air into the water as the portion moves toward the partitioning means.

14. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having a cylindrical inner wall and having a vertical partitioning means lying in a plane diametric to the axis of the cylinder and defining two goods chambers, and a single oscillatable suction-creating element oscillating about a permanent axis which substantially coincides with the axis oi the cylinder, and having two portions one for each chamber alternately operable to move the goods in its chamber toward and away from partitioning means, each portion adapted to compress the goods against the partitioning means, said portions being so related to one another and to the partition as to allow a total arc oi swing of substantially when no clothes are in the goods chambers.

15. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having vertical partitioning means therein defining goods chambers, said means having perforations therein, a pivoted element having perforations therein and providing diametrically related portions one operable in each chamber to compress the goods against the partitioning means and then suction move the goods away from the partitioning means, each of said portions having a downwardly facing concave surface of substantial area which surfaces are simultaneously disposed above the water level in the course of the washing operation, and which act to retard upward motion of air and to bring air into the water as the portion moves toward the partitioning means, a vertical shaft passing through the bottom of the receptacle, a tubular extension attached to the bottom and forming a journal for said shaft, `said swingable element having a sleeve which surrounds said tubular extension and further having means by which it is detachably connected to the shaft for movement therewith, bearing means arranged between the upper side of the tubular element and the end of said sleeve acting to center and pivot and support said swingable element, motive means below the bottom of the receptacle and means by which the same oscillates the shaft alternately in opposite directions for the purpose set forth.

16. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having vertical partitioning means therein dening goods chambers said means having perforations therein, a pivoted element having perforations therein and providing diametrically related perforated portions one operable in each chamber to compress the goods against the partitioning means and then suction move the goods away from the partitioning means, a vertical shaft passing through the bottom of the receptacle, a tubular extension attached to the bottom and forming a journal for said shaft, said pivoted element having a sleeve which surrounds said tubular extension and further having means by which it is detachably connected to the shaft for movement therewith, bearing means arranged between the upper side of the tubular element and the end of said sleeve acting to center and pivot and support said swingable element, motive means below the bottom of the receptacle and means by which it oscillates the shaft alternately in opposite directions for the purpose set forth.

17. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having its long axis vertically arranged, a vertical perforate partitioning means dividing the receptacle into chambers` a periorate suction and clothes pressing element providing paddles operable in the chambers, said element being oscillatable on a vertical axis, each paddle vertically dividing the chamber into two clothes chambers, the upper edges of each paddle having horizontally outwardly extending portions overhanging the chambers, the under surface of each portion being concaved.

18, A washing machine having a receptacle having therein vertical perforate partitioning means defining two goods-receiving chambers, a vertical perforate oscillatory suction-creating element having its vertical axis disposed centrally of and between adjoining portions of said partitioning means and having two portions one operative in each chamber and subdividing it into two goods chambers, each portion of the element being operative to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partitioning means, the upper edge of each portion having extensions over-hanging the chambers to trap and retard upward motion of air as the portion approaches the partition means.

19. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having its axis vertically arranged, vertical partition means dividing the chamber into two chambers, a suction and clothes pressing element providing vertically .disposed paddles operative in the chambers each dividing its chamber into two clothes chambers, the upper edges of each paddle being provided with over-hanging portions the lower surfaces of which are concaved, and the upper portions of the faces of the paddles being upwardly and outwardly ared to merge into the corresponding lower surfaces of the over-hanging portions.

20. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having perforate vertical partitioning means defining two goods chambers, a single periorate suction-creating element oscillatable on a vertical axis and having twoblades one operative in each chamber, each portion operable to alternately move the goods toward and away from the partitioning means and acting during oscillating motion to compress the goods against the partitioning means, that vertical portion of each blade nearest the inner periphery of the ch-amber being thickened and providing opposite goodsengaging surf-aces which are outwardly flared with respect to each other.

21. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having a rst stationary vertical partition element, a second element oscillatable on a vertical axis and forming a goods moving second partition element dening with said receptacle and said rst partition element two goods chambers of which it forms the common wall, said second element being adapted to move goods at its opposite sides and in respective chambers toward, against, and away from the rst partition element.

22. A washing machine comprising a water receptacle having a. first stationary vertical partition element, a second element oscillatable on a vertical axis and forming a goods moving second partition element dening with said receptacle and said irst partition element two goods chambers of which it forms the common wall, said second element being adapted to move goods at its opposite sides and in respective chambers toward, against, and away from the first partition element, one of the elements having numercus perforations therein.

JOSEPH LUNOE. 

